Jackets to Select 8th in 2015 NHL Entry Draft

Well, the NHL Draft Lottery was last night and the Edmonton Oilers won the (Yosemite Sam style cursing)…I’m sorry lets start this over.

Greetings all. The NHL Draft Lottery was last night and the Jackets stayed put meaning they’ll select eighth in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. This will be the fourth time the Jackets will pick eighth – the first came back in their inaugural season when they selected Pascal Leclaire. The second time due to a (more Yosemite Sam Cursing) trade by Doug MacLean, I wanted us to stay put at four and select Andrew Ladd but we got Alexandre Picard. The third was traded to Philly in a trade for some jerk.

Now the eighth overall pick hasn’t had many home run hits lately. The last probably was Sean Couturier (who Philly selected with that traded pick). Not counting some of the younger guys just drafted, the last player to go at eight that people have heard of is Devin Setoguchi, and you probably heard of him before his career took a nosedive. I’ve written on what the CBJ should focus on in the draft and confirming their selection order doesn’t change that.

Here are a few options I believe will be available at 8:

Zach Werenski-University of Michigan (Big 10-p.s. save it Buckeye nation)
9th Ranked North American Skater
Werenski is the top dman the CBJ will have a chance at and was one of the top dmen in college hockey. He finished second among Big Ten defensemen (17 points behind a certain two-time All-American from Minnesota) and led all NCAA eligible defenseman in goals and power play goals, assists and points. What makes Zach’s success even more interesting is he was the youngest player in D1 hockey. According to the Hockeyprospect.com’s blackbook (my best source), in their 2014 draft guide they talked about kids all the way into the 2016 draft, but only briefly. The Blackbook says that some hockey personnel believe Zach could be just as good as top D prospect Noah Hanifin.

Ivan Provorov-Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
7th Ranked North American Skater
Ivan Provorov led all WHL rookies in scoring and also finished fourth among WHL dmen. Yes, that name screams Russian (because he is) but, unlike our other Russian problem children, Ivan has been playing in North America since 2011 according to Eliteprospects.com. Ivan likes to control the pace of a game and is not afraid to take the puck up the ice. According to the Blackbook  “He loses no speed or mobility handling the puck as his hands match his feet as far as skill level and ability.”

Matthew Barzal-Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
11th Ranked North American Skater
There are higher rated players that will probably be there at eight but Barzal has grown on me lately, plus picturing him on a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand intrigues me. Barzal was the top pick in the 2012 WHL draft and is a playmaker with tremendous hands and elite vision. Barzal thinks the game at a much higher level than his peers and attacks defensemen  by trying to lure them to him before threading a pass through traffic. Barzal is a capable defender and a knack for stripping the puck from opponents.

There you have it folks – a few guesses at who the Jackets should take in the draft. I’ll be back with my playoff recaps along with my prospect awards and my annual mock drafts (I’m two for 23, but who’s counting?)